give me an example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Give me an example" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone to provide an illustrative example of something they have been referencing. For example, if you had asked someone, "Can you tell me how to use the app?" they might respond, "Yes, I can. Give me an example of what you want to do and I can walk you through it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Give me an example.

Forbes

Q. Give me an example.

The New York Times

Give me an example of a prayer.

The Economist

JUSTICE ALITO: Give me an example.

The Economist

"Give me an example," Murray says.

The New Yorker

"Give me an example," I said.

The Guardian - Tech

O'REILLY: You wanna give me an example?

The Washington Post

Me: Can you give me an example?

The Guardian - Tech

Could she give me an example?

The Guardian

And give me an example of that".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Kammerdener gave me an example.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give me an example" to encourage detailed explanations and concrete illustrations, helping to avoid ambiguity in communication.

Common error

While effective in conversation, in highly formal documents, consider alternatives like "For instance" or "To illustrate" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give me an example" functions as an imperative request. It prompts the listener to provide a specific instance or illustration to clarify a statement or idea. As Ludwig AI states, it’s a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give me an example" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to request clarification through specific instances. According to Ludwig AI, it is indeed correct and usable in written English. It's frequently found in News & Media, but less so in formal academic or scientific writing, where more polite or structured alternatives may be preferred. As shown in the examples from Ludwig, the phrase is versatile for encouraging detailed explanations and concrete illustrations. Remember to consider your audience and context when choosing between "give me an example" and its more formal counterparts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what's an example of that

Very similar in meaning, but slightly more specific by referring to "that".

could you illustrate that

More formal and polite request for clarification through an example.

can you cite an instance

Formal request for a specific instance, often used in analytical or academic contexts.

can you clarify with an instance

Requests an instance to make something more understandable. This is a bit more formal.

elaborate with a specific case

Asks for a more detailed explanation supported by a real-world case.

what's a case in point

Asks for a relevant instance or example, focusing on its relevance.

provide a scenario

Requests a hypothetical or real-world scenario to explain a concept.

how about an illustration

Less direct, suggesting the possibility of an illustration for better understanding.

explain with an occurrence

Asks to elaborate using a real incident or event as an example.

show me what you mean

Directly asks for demonstration or example.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "give me an example" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases such as "could you provide an illustration?", "can you cite an instance?", or "could you elaborate with a specific case?" For a more direct approach, consider "what's an example of that".

When is it appropriate to use "give me an example"?

It is suitable for conversational settings, interviews, and informal discussions where you need a clear and concise illustration of a point. Avoid overuse in formal academic writing.

Are there situations where "give me an example" might be too direct?

Yes, in situations requiring high levels of politeness or deference, such as addressing superiors or in very formal contexts, it is better to use more polite alternatives like "could you illustrate that?" or "can you provide an instance?".

What's the difference between "give me an example" and "can you elaborate"?

"Give me an example" specifically requests a concrete illustration, while "can you elaborate" asks for more detailed information, which may not necessarily be in the form of an example. Alternatives like "elaborate with a specific case" combine both for a targeted request.